Education

Liz Njeri Kamau is the Founder of Flowing Wisdom, a menstrual equity initiative working to ensure that girls and women can manage menstruation with dignity, confidence and access to the right knowledge and resources.

Her journey began while serving as a teacher leader at Kwa Njenga Primary School, where she noticed that many girls were regularly missing school because of their periods. Some could not afford menstrual products, while others relied on unsafe alternatives or stayed home because of pain, embarrassment and stigma. Together with a colleague, Liz started a small school club where girls could openly discuss menstruation, access basic information and find a safe space for support. That small initiative became the foundation of Flowing Wisdom.

Today, Liz leads efforts that combine menstrual health education, access to sustainable menstrual products, improved school hygiene facilities and youth-led advocacy. Through Flowing Wisdom, more than 2,500 learners have been reached with menstrual health education, over 2,000 reusable menstrual products have been distributed, and more than 10 menstrual health ambassadors have been trained to support and educate their peers.

A key part of Liz’s approach is ensuring that the work creates lasting change. Flowing Wisdom is establishing school clubs and peer mentorship programmes, while working towards pad dispensers and hygiene stations that can provide girls with reliable access to emergency menstrual products.

For Liz, the impact goes beyond numbers. One of the stories closest to her heart is that of Diela, a learner she first encountered in 2023. Once shy and frequently absent from school during her periods, Diela grew in confidence through menstrual health education and peer support. She eventually became a menstrual health ambassador and went on to take on student leadership roles, including serving as Speaker of the Student Council at Kwa Njenga and the Embakasi South Sub-County Student Council.

Liz’s vision is to see menstrual equity become a reality for every girl in Kenya. Over the next decade, she hopes to reach at least 50,000 young people, expand Flowing Wisdom across all 47 counties, establish clubs in 1,000 schools, install more than 5,000 pad dispensers and hygiene stations, and train 1,000 menstrual health ambassadors.

Through Flowing Wisdom, Liz is building more than a menstrual health programme. She is helping create a future where no girl has to miss school, lose confidence or limit her opportunities because of her period.

Margaret Wangui Ruthari is a passionate grassroots leader, advocate, and changemaker dedicated to giving vulnerable girls and young mothers a second chance at education, dignity, and a better future.

As the Founder of Protect a Girl Image (PGI), a community-based organization in Kangai, Kenya, Margaret works at the intersection of girls’ education, child protection, adolescent motherhood, psychosocial support, and community empowerment. Her work is driven by a simple but powerful belief: “When you educate a girl, you secure the future.”

Through PGI, Margaret has helped rescue and reintegrate more than 300 girls affected by early marriage, abuse, teenage pregnancy, and school dropout. She has also supported adolescent mothers to return to school, acquire vocational skills, rebuild their confidence, and pursue dignified livelihoods.

One story that captures Margaret’s impact is that of Mwitha, a 15-year-old girl who had lost both parents and was at risk of being married off simply to survive. Under Margaret’s leadership, PGI intervened, supported her return to school, provided psychosocial care and essential educational support, and surrounded her with mentorship and hope. Mwitha went on to complete her secondary education, pursue a Certificate in Community Health, and become a peer mentor helping other vulnerable girls find their way back to education.

For Margaret, every girl rescued represents more than one life changed. It is a family transformed, a cycle of poverty interrupted, and a community given a new possibility.

Her vision extends to 2035: 5,000 vulnerable girls supported to complete their education, 2,000 adolescent mothers and women empowered with skills and economic opportunities, stronger community protection systems, and safer communities where every girl can grow, learn, and thrive.

Margaret Wangui Ruthari is building more than an organization. She is building a future where no girl is left behind.

Nurturing hearts. Restoring dignity. Protecting dreams.

Velma Lumadi Education Nominee # ZuriAwards 2021 is the Founder Saniaga Community Libraries. Based in Vihiga County she has a passion for reading and saw a need of other kids to experience that at an early age by opening a library.

Elizabeth Muriuki Education Nominee # ZuriAwards 2021 is the Founder Serene Haven. Which admits teenage mothers exclusively with their babies. She runs a day care centre inside the school that take cares of the babies while the students attend class.

Esther Muchiri- Wamai is a highly experienced Special Needs Educator, working very much at the forefront of Special Educational Needs education. She is passionately committed to inclusive education and its ability to transform lives. Esther champions for inclusion of children and young adults with Learning/Intellectual Disabilities in different facets such as Education, Employment and in Social Programmes.

Grace Waithira, an educator with over 25 years experience in Early Years Education teaching, believes that educators have a responsibility to foster a mindset of self-learning in children, so she created resources for learning (Twiga Books) for young children that encourage curiosity, develop independence with natural progression, and are fun and engaging.

Margaret Njeri Education Nominee #ZuriAwards 2022 is the face behind Tafi Autism foundation. Tafi Autism Foundation deals with young ( early intervention) and youth with autism. They train vocational skills like candle making which the youth produce and sell. Additionally they do hydroponic farming for planting greens, poultry and mats, strings art with the Austic youth.

N’Zani Kassim Zani is a dynamic communications specialist and co‑leader behind the Hijabi Mentorship Program. An organisation based in Kwale County that empowers women and girls through mentorship, advocacy, and sport. With over a decade of experience crafting powerful narratives and engaging media strategies, she brings both passion and precision to the organisation’s mission. N’Zani helped build the program from its 2018 beginnings into a respected voice for gender equality and youth empowerment in coastal Kenya, championing initiatives in sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence prevention, and economic opportunity.

Founded in 2017 by Dorris to empower youths via mentorship and leadership training. It targets high school and university students .

The Trust organizes programs focused on personal development, decision-making, communication, and servant leadership.

The Mentorship with Empowerment Project spans four years, emphasizing academic transition, leadership, and life skills .

The trust initiated a book donation drive (story books, textbooks, dictionaries) to build and manage a library.

Dorothy Dulo is the founder and CEO of Rafiki Africa Foundation. After studying nursing in the U.S., Dorothy returned to her home village of Rachuonyo, Homa Bay and got devastated by the illiteracy levels. Her parents were caring for dozens of orphans, often holding classes under a tree .

Seeing that food and shelter were not enough, Dorothy helped build Lighthouse Academy, a K–8 school that now serves around 200 children ,75% of whom are girls This offers education aligned with the Kenyan curriculum .